Ring
17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A belief in the magical or curative properties of gemstones, minerals and other natural materials has long existed. The brown stone set into this ring was known as a toadstone. Toadstones were especially popular in the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. They were most often set in rings - the natural shape of the toadstone fitted a ring bezel well, and the toadstone could be worn daily and touched or monitored for any changes. The inscription inside the hoop refers to the protective and curative qualities of the toadstone - 'Whom I kiss, her I cure'. The initials IP were probably those of the owner, showing that it was a personal and prized item.
The round, brown toadstone, also known as 'crapaudine' or 'crappot', was believed to be effective against kidney disease and was a sure talisman of earthly happiness, according to Johannes de Cuba, writing in his Hortus Sanitatis (Garden of Health) in 1498. Wearers also believed that it would give off heat if exposed to poison. This was described by Fenton in 1569 "Being used in rings they give forewarning of venom". In 1627, Lupton claimed that ‘A Tode stone (called Crapaudina) touching any part be venomed, hurte or stung with Ratte, Spider, Waspe or any other venomous Beasts, ceases the paine or swelling thereof’. It was also said to protect pregnant women from fairies and demons and to prevent their child being exchanged for a changeling.
Toadstones were highly valued and often appeared in contemporary literature – according to Shakespeare’s ‘As you like it’:
‘Sweet are the uses of adversity;
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.’
They were included in the stock of many jewellers. An unmounted toadstone was found as part of the Cheapside Hoard (now in the Museum of London), the stock of a 17th century jeweller which was found in the cellar of a London house in the early 20th century.
Despite the name and former beliefs, toadstones are the fossilised teeth of a fish of the Jurassic and Cretaceous period called 'Lepidotes'. Lepidotes had a mouth with a wide palate set with rows of rounded, peg-like teeth which it used to crush the shells of molluscs.
The round, brown toadstone, also known as 'crapaudine' or 'crappot', was believed to be effective against kidney disease and was a sure talisman of earthly happiness, according to Johannes de Cuba, writing in his Hortus Sanitatis (Garden of Health) in 1498. Wearers also believed that it would give off heat if exposed to poison. This was described by Fenton in 1569 "Being used in rings they give forewarning of venom". In 1627, Lupton claimed that ‘A Tode stone (called Crapaudina) touching any part be venomed, hurte or stung with Ratte, Spider, Waspe or any other venomous Beasts, ceases the paine or swelling thereof’. It was also said to protect pregnant women from fairies and demons and to prevent their child being exchanged for a changeling.
Toadstones were highly valued and often appeared in contemporary literature – according to Shakespeare’s ‘As you like it’:
‘Sweet are the uses of adversity;
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.’
They were included in the stock of many jewellers. An unmounted toadstone was found as part of the Cheapside Hoard (now in the Museum of London), the stock of a 17th century jeweller which was found in the cellar of a London house in the early 20th century.
Despite the name and former beliefs, toadstones are the fossilised teeth of a fish of the Jurassic and Cretaceous period called 'Lepidotes'. Lepidotes had a mouth with a wide palate set with rows of rounded, peg-like teeth which it used to crush the shells of molluscs.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Engraved silver with a toadstone |
| Brief description | Silver ring with a circular cusped bezel with a toadstone. Decorated with applied pellets on the shoulders. The hoop inscribed Whom I kiss hir I cure with the initials I.P., England, 17th century |
| Physical description | Silver ring with a circular cusped bezel with a toadstone. Decorated with applied pellets on the shoulders. The hoop inscribed Whom I kiss hir I cure with the initials I.P. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Whom I kiss hir I cure' with the initials 'I.P.' (The hoop inscribed) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Miss E. M. Begg |
| Summary | A belief in the magical or curative properties of gemstones, minerals and other natural materials has long existed. The brown stone set into this ring was known as a toadstone. Toadstones were especially popular in the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. They were most often set in rings - the natural shape of the toadstone fitted a ring bezel well, and the toadstone could be worn daily and touched or monitored for any changes. The inscription inside the hoop refers to the protective and curative qualities of the toadstone - 'Whom I kiss, her I cure'. The initials IP were probably those of the owner, showing that it was a personal and prized item. The round, brown toadstone, also known as 'crapaudine' or 'crappot', was believed to be effective against kidney disease and was a sure talisman of earthly happiness, according to Johannes de Cuba, writing in his Hortus Sanitatis (Garden of Health) in 1498. Wearers also believed that it would give off heat if exposed to poison. This was described by Fenton in 1569 "Being used in rings they give forewarning of venom". In 1627, Lupton claimed that ‘A Tode stone (called Crapaudina) touching any part be venomed, hurte or stung with Ratte, Spider, Waspe or any other venomous Beasts, ceases the paine or swelling thereof’. It was also said to protect pregnant women from fairies and demons and to prevent their child being exchanged for a changeling. Toadstones were highly valued and often appeared in contemporary literature – according to Shakespeare’s ‘As you like it’: ‘Sweet are the uses of adversity; Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.’ They were included in the stock of many jewellers. An unmounted toadstone was found as part of the Cheapside Hoard (now in the Museum of London), the stock of a 17th century jeweller which was found in the cellar of a London house in the early 20th century. Despite the name and former beliefs, toadstones are the fossilised teeth of a fish of the Jurassic and Cretaceous period called 'Lepidotes'. Lepidotes had a mouth with a wide palate set with rows of rounded, peg-like teeth which it used to crush the shells of molluscs. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.325-1975 |
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| Record created | August 23, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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